Flat screen monitor desktop support

ABSTRACT

The instant invention provides a flat screen monitor support assembly having a base that is coupled to the edge of a desk, or to a grommet hole in a desk. A distal end of the monitor support assembly is securable to the back of the flat screen monitor. Torsilastic assemblies allow for adjustment of the biasing required to maintain the vertical spacing of the monitor from the desktop surface with pivot pins providing horizontal rotation. The torsilastic assemblies accommodate monitors of different weight as well as normal aging of the elastomeric elements within the assemblies. The support base further includes an offset pivot providing additional rotation aspects without the need for support bracket movement.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Jun. 11, 2004, the filing date, ofU.S. Provisional Application 60/579,038.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is monitor supports, and more particularly, aflat screen monitor support securable to a desktop having a torsilasticcoupling for positional placement of the monitor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Desktop computer systems have revolutionized the way industry operates.Such computer systems allow an individual to perform numerous tasks notthought possible a decade ago. One of the problems with desktopcomputers is that conventional desks were not designed to accommodatethe extra hardware. The monitors were especially cumbersome as theyconsumed a great amount of desktop surface space. The introduction offlat screens for computer systems has greatly reduced the surface spacedemand, however, the space demand is not eliminated.

An advantage to the flat screen monitors is the minimal thickness andweight, allowing such monitors to be placed on cantilever type supportarms. In this manner a monitor can literally float over the desktop andbe positioned by an individual to provide optimal viewing of themonitor. When the monitor is not in use it may be moved to a storageposition providing uninhibited access to the desktop.

Known prior art support arms include the use of counter weights orcounter springs to support the weight of the monitor. See, for example,U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,235 to Randolph, which discloses a computer workstation with a spring loaded folding frame that supports a monitor in avertically adjustable position above the work surface. Counter-weighttechnology must be utilized to balance the load and, unless adjustmentis provided, must be sized to meet the weight of the monitor. Similarly,the use of counter springs require adjustment for proper support, thesprings can lose their bias over time causing the monitor to sag from aviewing position with no possibility of adjustment.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,167 to Skalka et al. discloses a horizontallyadjustable pivoting computer support that is mounted to the edge of adesk or work station.

Thus, what is needed in the art is a desktop support for use inpositioning an LCD or plasma monitor over the surface of a desk. Thedesktop support should be capable of maintaining the monitor in a fixedposition without counterweights or counter springs as utilized in theprior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a flat screen monitor support assembly having a base thatis coupled to the edge of a desk, or to a grommet hole in a desk. Adistal end of the monitor support assembly is securable to the back ofthe flat screen monitor. A torsilastic spring assembly allows foradjustment of the biasing required to maintain the vertical spacing ofthe monitor from the desktop surface with pivot pins providinghorizontal rotation. The support base further includes an offset pivotproviding additional rotation aspects without the need for supportbracket movement.

Thus, an objective of the instant invention is to provide a support fora flat screen monitor which can be turned in a horizontal access planeand a vertical access plane.

Still another objective of the instant invention is to provide a supportfor a flat screen monitor which can be securely positioned in a desiredlocation when adjustment turning has stopped.

Still another objective of the instant invention is to provide a flatscreen monitor support employing a torsilastic assembly which can beadjusted to compensate for different weight monitors as well as normalwear and tear.

Another objective of the invention is to provide an ergonomic supportarm for flat screen monitors to minimize eye, neck, and back pain.

Still another objective of the instant invention is to provide a monitorsupport arm that allows for the vertical and horizontal movement of amonitor by simple hand movement.

Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration andexample, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitutea part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the flat screen support apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the flat screen support apparatus attached to aflat screen monitor;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of another embodiment of the supportapparatus;

FIG. 4 is an exploded pictorial view of the lever mechanism; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded pictorial view of the knuckle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of the monitor arm with mounting plate 2which can either be 75×75 mm or 100×100 mm or other size suitable foruse in attaching to the back of a flat screen monitor such as an LCD,LED or plasma screen via fasteners 1. The mounting plate is removablycoupled to a swivel cone 7 by use of an interim mounting base 5. Themounting plate is secured to the cone with fastening screw 4. Aplurality of spring pins 6 are removably secured within cone 7 so thatthey engage the rear surface of mounting base 5. The rear surface of themounting base 5 includes indentations which cooperate with the springpins to allow the monitor to be rotated and indexed about fourth axis49. The swivel cone 7 is coupled to the upper arms 14 and 15 by use ofthe swivel arm 9. The swivel arm 9 includes a spaced apart second endportion allowing the aperture of the swivel cone 7 to be insertedbetween the spaced apart portions and secured in place with mountingcomponents 10. This construction secures the cone in position, yetallows for horizontal movement about sixth axis 46.

The first end of the swivel arm 9 includes an aperture 47 formedperpendicular and positionable between the upper arms 14 and 15. Theaperture 47 includes internal splines which are constructed and arrangedto cooperate with a second torsilastic assembly 13. Fastener components11 and 12 secure the swivel arm to the upper arms in a conventionalmanner. The swivel arm 9 connection to the arms 14 and 15 allows upwardand downward rotation of the cone 7 about fifth axis 43. While thecones' connection to the swivel arm provides lateral movement to themounting plate 2 and thus a monitor 100 (FIG. 2), the lower ends of themounting arms 14 and 15 are coupled to a knuckle 26 by pinion 23, asshown in FIGS. 4 and 5, having a torsilastic washer 17 securable to anouter torsilastic bushing 20 and inner torsilastic bushing 19. Thetorsilastic assembly includes a plurality of elastomeric elements toprovide a biased positioning about second axis 43.

Joint connector 16 operates in conjunction with lever handle 22 forincreasing or decreasing the applied pressure to the torsilasticassembly. Lever handle 22 includes an internal spline which cooperateswith the spline formed on the outer surface of the pinion 23. Spring 24and cap 25 cooperate with the first end of the pinion to secure thelever handle in place as well as allow the lever handle to berepositioned for operator convenience. The knuckle 26 is mounted to thelower arm 29 allowing rotation of the knuckle in a 360° pattern aboutfirst axis 42. The lower arm 29 is further coupled to an upper clamp 35which is further coupled to a lower clamp 36. Clamps 35 and 36 are usedto provide a rigid sandwich style coupling to an upper and lower surfaceof a table top. Lower arm 29 includes an offset pin 37 which isrotatably coupled to clamp 35 to allow for radial movement of the lowerarm about third axis 40 in conjunction with radial movement of knuckle26 about axis 42 for lateral offset positioning of the display device.

The torsilastic assemblies allow the monitor to be placed within variousoperator chosen positions by simply applying sufficient force to themonitor or other display device to overcome the resistance provided bytorsilastic assemblies. In this manner the torsilastic assemblies allowfor physical positioning of the monitor yet, the chosen position ismaintained when no auxiliary force is applied to the display device. Inaddition, the construction of the torsilastic assemblies accommodatemonitors of different weight as well as normal aging of the elastomericelements within the assemblies.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a top view of the instant invention isillustrated with flat screen monitor 100 coupled to the mounting plate 2shown with swivel cone 7. The device consists of the clamps 35 and 36which are securable to a desk (not shown). The lower arm 29 is securedto clamp 35 for pivotal movement around third axis 40. A pivot pointthrough knuckle 26 is defined by first axis 42 for rotationalpositioning of the upper arms 14 and 15. A pivot point through knuckle26 is defined by second axis 43 allowing for vertical pivoting of arms14 and 15. The swivel arm 9 further allows for vertical rotation of thecone 7 and thus the monitor around fifth axis 43 and horizontal rotationaround sixth axis 46.

FIG. 3 depicts the use of a monitor 100 with mounting plate 2 and cone7. The swivel arm 9 is coupled to mounting arms 14 and 15 adjoiningknuckle 26 for movement about the various axes. The lever handle 22allows for operator controlled resistance within the torsilastic springassembly to control the vertical placement of the monitor. The lower arm29 is securable to a grommet 30. In this case a mounting kit which fitsthrough the grommet hole of a desk 110 provides support for theapparatus.

It is to be understood that while we have illustrated and describedcertain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specificforms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention and the invention isnot to be considered limited to what is shown in the drawings anddescribed in the specification.

1. A support for selective positioning of a display device over a worksurface comprising: an attachment clamp for connection with a worksurface, said clamp constructed and arranged for connection to aknuckle, said knuckle rotatably connected to said clamp, said knucklerotatable about a first axis of rotation for horizontal positioning ofsaid display device, said knuckle including a torsilastic assembly forsecuring at least one arm, said torsilastic assembly including at leastone elastomeric element for torsional control of said at least one arm,said at least one arm having a first end and a second end, said firstend of said at least one arm secured to said torsilastic assembly forrotation about a second axis of rotation, said second end of said atleast one arm constructed and arranged to support said display device;whereby said torsilastic assembly allows for vertical positioning ofsaid display device when an auxiliary force is applied to said displaydevice, whereby said vertical position is maintained when no auxiliaryforce is applied to said display device.
 2. The support for selectivepositioning of a display device over a work surface of claim 1 whereinsaid torsilastic assembly includes a hand operable lever, wherein saidhand operable lever is rotatably attached to said torsilastic assembly,whereby rotation of said lever in a first direction reduces the amountof torsion caused within said torsilastic assembly during rotation ofsaid at least one arm about said second axis or rotation, wherebyrotation of said lever in a second direction increases the amount oftorsion caused within said torsilastic assembly during rotation of saidat least one arm about said second axis of rotation.
 3. The support forselective positioning of a display device over a work surface of claim 2wherein a portion of said torsilastic assembly includes an externalspline for interlocking engagement with said hand operable lever andwherein said hand operable lever includes an internal spline forinterlocking engagement with said external spline; whereby said levermay be pulled outwardly to disengage said splines, rotated to repositionsaid lever, and pushed inwardly to re-engage said splines.
 4. Thesupport for selective positioning of a display device over a worksurface of claim 1 including a lower arm, said lower arm rotatablyconnected at a first end to said clamp and at a second end to saidknuckle, wherein said lower arm is rotatable about a third axis ofrotation substantially parallel to said work surface and wherein saidknuckle is rotatable about a fourth axis of rotation substantiallyperpendicular to said work surface; whereby said lower arm provideslateral offset positioning of said display device.
 5. The support forselective positioning of a display device over a work surface of claim 1wherein said second end of said at least one arm is secured to a swivelarm, said swivel arm including a first end and a second end, said firstend including a second torsilastic assembly for pivotal attachment tosaid second end of said at least one arm, said second torsilasticassembly including at least one elastomeric element for torsionalcontrol of said swivel arm, said swivel arm rotatable about a fifth axisof rotation for operator selectable vertical plane positioning of saiddisplay device, said second end of said swivel arm constructed andarranged to support said display device and provide horizontal planepositioning of said display device about a sixth axis of rotation, saidsixth axis of rotation substantially perpendicular with respect to saidthird axis of rotation.
 6. The support for selective positioning of adisplay device over a work surface of claim 5 including a swivel coneand mounting base, wherein a first end of said swivel cone is rotatablysecured to said second end of said swivel arm, wherein a second end ofsaid swivel cone is secured to a first side of said swivel base forrotation about a fourth axis of rotation, wherein said first axis ofrotation allows said display device to be rotated.
 7. The support forselective positioning of a display device over a work surface of claim 6wherein said second end of said swivel cone includes at least one springpin and said first side of said swivel base includes a plurality ofindentations, wherein said at least one spring pin is positioned tocooperate with said indentations to permit indexable rotation of saiddisplay device about said fourth axis.
 8. The support for selectivepositioning of a display device over a work surface of claim 6 whereinsaid swivel base includes a second side, wherein said second side isconstructed and arranged to removably secure a mounting plate, whereinsaid mounting plate is constructed and arranged for securing saiddisplay device.
 9. A support for selective positioning of a displaydevice over a work surface comprising: an attachment clamp forconnection with a work surface, said clamp constructed and arranged forconnection to a lower arm, said lower arm rotatably connected at a firstend to said clamp and at a second end to a knuckle, wherein said lowerarm is rotatable about a third axis of rotation substantially parallelto said work surface and wherein said knuckle is rotatable about a firstaxis of rotation substantially perpendicular to said work surface forhorizontal positioning of said display device, said knuckle including atorsilastic assembly for securing at least one arm, said torsilasticassembly including at least one elastomeric element for torsionalcontrol of said at least one arm, said at least one arm having a firstend and a second end, said first end of said at least one arm secured tosaid torsilastic assembly for rotation about a second axis of rotation,said second end of said at least one arm secured to a swivel arm, saidswivel arm including a first end and a second end, said first endincluding a second torsilastic assembly for pivotal attachment to saidsecond end of said at least one arm, said second torsilastic assemblyincluding at least one elastomeric element for torsional control of saidswivel arm, said swivel arm rotatable about a fifth axis of rotation foroperator selectable vertical plane positioning of said display device,said second end of said swivel arm secured to a swivel cone and mountingbase, wherein a first end of said swivel cone is rotatably secured tosaid second end of said swivel arm, wherein a second end of said swivelcone is secured to a first side of said swivel base for rotation about afourth axis of rotation, wherein said sixth axis of rotation provideshorizontal plane positioning of said display device and wherein saidfirst axis of rotation allows said display device to be rotated.
 10. Asupport for selective positioning of a display device over a worksurface comprising an attachment clamp for connection with a worksurface, a lower arm having one end rotatably connected to said clampfor rotation in a plane parallel to said work surface, the other end ofsaid lower arm connected to a knuckle, said knuckle having a boretherethrough, a resilient bushing being fixed in said bore, one end ofone mounting arm is connected to said bushing, said one end of said onemounting arm rotatably connected to said knuckle for movement in a planeperpendicular to said work surface relative to said knuckle, said otherend of said one mounting arm adapted to be connected to a display devicewhereby movement of said other end of said one mounting arm in a planeperpendicular to said work surface applies torsion forces to saidbushing and resists further movement.
 11. A support for selectivepositioning of a display device over a work surface of claim 10comprising a swivel arm rotatably connected to said other end of saidone mounting arm to rotate in a plane parallel to said work surface,said swivel arm having a rotatable connection to said other end of saidone mounting arm to rotate in a plane parallel to said work surface, amounting base rotatably connected to said swivel arm for rotation in aplane perpendicular to said work surface, said mounting base adapted tobe connected to a display device.
 12. A support for selectivepositioning of a display device over a work surface of claim 10comprising a second mounting arm having one end connected to saidbushing, said second mounting arm rotatably connected to said knuckleopposite said one mounting arm, said one mounting arm and said secondmounting arm simultaneously rotating in a plane perpendicular to saidwork surface, said other end of said second mounting arm adapted to beconnected to a display device.
 13. A support for selective positioningof a display device over a work surface of claim 10 comprising a leverreleasably rotatably connected to said bushing for rotation in a planevertical to said work surface, whereby when said lever is engaged withsaid bushing and rotated additional torsion forces are applied to saidbushing.